Demountable wall partition

ABSTRACT

A demountable wall partition for use between a floor and ceiling, opposed floor and ceiling channels, with longitudinally spaced upright stud and stud spacing tabs projected from the channels in one embodiment. The upright spaced studs extending into said channels for interlocking engagement therein. L-shaped wall board mounting and retaining trim flanges on said channels; the studs being H-shaped in cross-section with their flanges including reverse turned clip edges, and upright trim moldings enclosing opposite edges of adjacent wall boards and frictionally interlocked with said clip edges. In a further embodiment spacer and wall board retaining clips are attached to the clip edges to receive and retain a batten strip.

United States Patent 11 1 Navarre 1451 July 10, 1973 DEMOUNTABLE WALLPARTITION [75] lnventor: William J. Navarre, Riverview,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Oct. 9, I970 [21] Appl. No.: 79,386

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.756,514, Aug. 3,

1968, Pat. No. 3,537,219.

1,133,138 3/1915 Henderson 52/241 1,990,259 2/1935 Walters 52/2423,537,219 11/1970 Navarre 52/213 2,023,989 12/1935 Brown 52/493 X3,222,833 12/1965 Woodrum 52/211 3,293,813 12/1966 Emmons et al....52/729 X 3,319,983 5/1967 Zibell 287/189.35

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 290,361 4/ 1969 Australia 52/731 PrimaryExaminer-Alfred C. Perham Att0rneyCullen, Settle, Sloman & Cantor [5 7]ABSTRACT A demountable wall partition for use between a floor andceiling, opposed floor and ceiling channels, with longitudinally spacedupright stud and stud spacing tabs projected from the channels in oneembodiment. The upright spaced studs extending into said channels forinterlocking engagement therein. L-shaped wall board mounting andretaining trim flanges on said channels; the studs being H-shaped incross-section with their flanges including reverse turned clip edges,and upright trim moldings enclosing opposite edges of adjacent wallboards and frictionally interlocked with said clip edges. In a furtherembodiment spacer and wall board retaining clips are attached to theclip edges to receive and retain a batten strip.

4 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl 52/211, 52/241, 52/290 [51]Int. Cl. E0411 1/00 [58] Field of Search 52/208, 211, 241, 52/242, 290,464, 466, 468, 493, 489, 729, 731

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,981,239 11/1934 Manske52/290 X 2,261,077 10/1941 Schultz 52/241 2,387,389 10/1945 Goldsmith.52/290 2,682,087 6/1954 'Siering 52/242 X 3,397,495 8/1968 Thompson eta1. 52/241 3,339,324 9/1967 Stackhouse 52/24l 3,193,061 7/1965 Downes52/242 X 2,818,947 l/1958 Goldberg... 52/211 2,277,792 3/1942 Small52/489 PATENIED JUL I "I973 mn'ur FIGI FIG.2

FIG?) INVENTOR WILLIAM J. NAVARRE BY Wu,

0 2 c/W ,4 M XM 3 7% 8 k 0 3 n w? aw G 6 H I r Q 2 W ATTORNEYS mimmw K3.744.199

INVENTOR WILLIAM J. NAVARRE ATTORNEYS DEMOUNTABLE WALL PARTITIONREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is acontinuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 756,514,filed 8-3-68 for Demountable Partition Wall" now U.S. Pat. No.3,537,219.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to providea demountable partition wall for use between floor and ceiling whichemploys floor and ceiling channels adapted to receive and support andsecure a series of longitudinally spaced studs of I-I-shape incross-section.

It is another object to provide an improved form of floor and ceilingchannel which includes opposed angular wall board supporting andretaining flanges by which the wall board may be easily disassembledfrom the wall construction for reuse and to aid in assembly.

It is another object to provide an improved stud for said partition wallwhich includes reverse turned clip edges on the flange portion thereofand the use of channel trim moldings for the upright side edges of thewall boards which enclose the same and are frictionally interlocked withsaid stud clip edges.

It is another object to provide in said partition wall a novel form ofsnap-on door jamb construction of a channel formation and includingchannel shaped marginal portions adapted for frictional interlock withthe adjacent clip edges of one stud.

It is another object to provide within said partition wall an improvedwindow sill or divider wall partition sill adapted for easy interlockand mounting upon horizontally disposed similar stud interposed betweena pair of upright studs for mounting a window or a divider wall element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects will be seenfrom the following specifications and claims in conjunction with theappended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partially broken away vertical section of oneembodiment of the present partition wall; I

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section taken in the direction of arrows 22 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a connection of snap-ondoor jamb;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of a horizontally disposeddivider stud with detachable window sill or one half dividerwallpartition sill,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary partially broken away vertical section through afurther embodiment of the present improved partition wall;

FIG. 6 and 7 are perspective fragmentary illustrations of modificationsof the basic strut member for use in connection with ceiling panels;

FIG. 8 is a partial horizontal section through the present improvedpartition wall showing a further embodiment of wall board spacer andattached batten strip;

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of a wall board spacer and battenretaining clip for use in the assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. l0-is likewise a partial horizontal section similar to FIG. 3illustrating another embodiment of a door jamb;

FIG. 10a illustrates a further modification of the basic strut member ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1 1 similarly is a partial horizontal section similar to FIG. 4illustrating a further embodiment ofa window or glass wall retainingmember;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view showing the partition wall of FIG.5 partially assembled; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12 showing the partitionwall completely assembled with the batten strip in place to coveradjoining wall board edges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, thepresent demountable partition wall, FIG. 1, is adapted for use betweenfloor F and ceiling C. Elongated floor channel 12 includes a base 14secured to the floor by fastener 16. Side edges of the base are curvedupwardly and inwardly at 18 merging with upright side wall 20 whichterminate at their upper edges in the opposed wall baord support trimflanges 22.

Ceiling channel 26 overlies floor channel 12 and includes base 28 whichbears against said ceiling and is secured thereto by fastener 16.

The ceiling channel includes upright sides 30 which terminate in thedownwardly opening right angular wall board top support flanges 32.

The ceiling and floor channels have formed longitudinally therein aseries of longitudinally spaced pairs of depending struck out studspacing and locating and securing tabs 24.

A series of longitudinally spaced upright studs 34 of H-shaped incross-section, see FIG. 2, are mounted with their respective ends nestedprojected into the floor and ceiling channesl and with their centralwebs 36 projected into and between the adjacent pairs of spacing andlocating tabs 24 on said channels and suitably interlocked therewith.

Conversely, as shown in connection with the floor channel 12 in FIG. 1,the base of the channels may be provided with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced slots 23 adapted to be engaged by tongues 25extending from the lower, respectively upper ends, of the central webs36 for spacing and vertical alignment of the studs 34 along the channels12 and 26.

The respective studs, FIG. 2, include the opposed elongated flanges 38whose outer edges are reverse turned defining clip edges 40 having someflexibility.

The raceway 44 is formed through the respective stud webs providing ameans for passing utility wires or the like as desired for concealingthe same within a partition wall.

A series of conventional wall boards, 46, such as are available on themarket, are mounted in an upright position so as to bear against thestud flanges, 38, supported at their lower edges within the bottomchannel trim flanges, 22, and retained within the trim flanges, 32, ofthe ceiling channel, 26, FIG. 1.

A suitable clearance space, 48, is provided above the top edges of thewall boards, 36, FIG. 1, to provide a means by which said wall boardsmay be elevated initially for disassembly and reuse as desired withrespect to the floor channel trim flanges, and support flanges, 22. Thisconstruction provides for easy assembly and disassembly as desired, andfor reuse of the respective parts without damage thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, elongated snap-on moldings, 50, of channel formenclose the outer upright edges of the wall boards, 46, and include aninner flange with longitudinal bead, 52, as desired for frictionalinterlock with and snug projection into the adjacent edge clips, 40, ofthe adjacent stud for removeable interlock therewith.

The trim moldings 50, of an adjacent pair of wall boards and uniformlyspaced apart and define a utility channel which may be employed asdesired for wires and other connections instead of the raceway, 44, FIG.

1. A suitable finish molding, 54, spans the utility channel, FIG. 2, andincludes a pair of parallel spaced flanges, 56, which are adapted tosnap into the said utility channel in snug frictional engagement withthe adjacent trim moldings 50.

FIG. 3, framentarily illustrates a snap-on removeable door jamb 58adapted to receive the door D fragmentarily shown.

The said door jamb includes a channel body and a central elongated outerdoor receiving stop 60 of rectangular shape in cross-section. Theopposing side edges of said body are flanged at 62 and terminate in thereverse formed channel clips 64. These channel clips frictionallyproject into the stud clip edges, FIG. 3, for interlock therewith. Theconstruction of the clip 64 is the same as shown and may include thebead 52 for increased frictional lock at the edge clip, such asillustrated in FIG. 2. Such beading, however, can be omitted if desiredrelying solely upon a frictional interlock. The assembly is furthercompleted by the use of a spacer block or the backing block 66 which isinterposed between the outer pair of stud flanges 38. Jack screw 68 ismounted centrally through the door stop 60 and includes an adjustablenut portion 70 which compressively engages backing block 66 and whichassists and functions for the purpose of securing the snap-on door jambin the assembled relation shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the removeablewindow sill or half divider wall partition sill at 72 which isremoveably mounted upon and interlocked with a horizontally disposedstud 34 similar to the first mentioned studs 34 of FIG. 2.

In such construction, the stud 34, FIG. 4, is interposed between a pairof upright studs and intermediate to floor and ceiling with respectiveends of said stud interlocked and suitably secured to the correspondingvertical studs.

The sill assembly 72 includes a body of channel form which includes sideflanges 74 and reverse turned securing clips 76 which frictionallyproject up into the corresponding adjacent clip edges of the horizontalstud.

The assembly is similar to the door-jamb shown in' FIG. 3, except inplace of the door stop 60 of FIG. 3, central portion of the body of thesill includesan elongated slotted portion 78 of rectangularcross-section adapted to receivc the glass window 80 or other halfdivider fragmentarily shown.

The assembly of the sill 72 with respect to the horizontal stud 34 isfurthermore completed by the use of a similar jack screw 68-whichextends through the base of the slotted portion 78 and adjustablyprojects the nut assembly 70 against the corresponding backing block 66which bears against the stud web and is interposed between itsrespective flanges, FIG. 4.

The above described pairs of tabs 24 projecting from the respectivefloor and ceiling channels, or slots 23 and tongues 25, serve toautomatically center the vertical studs to provide a means of securingthe same in upright position within the said channels,

The ceiling channel 26 is of such construction as to provide a trim lineat ceiling elevation without additional trims being required.

The formation on the respective trim and support and retaining flanges22 and 32 of the respective floor and ceiling channels'provides a meansby which the wall panels or wall boards 46 may be readily removed andare completely recoverable in the present partition construction.

The floor channel, 12, provides a completely finished base wall trim andin view of the cove construction, 18, facilitates cleaning and floormaintenance.

The construction of the trim moldings, 50, FIG. 2, and the correspondingclip edges, 40, permit the said trim moldings to be easily removable andreplaceable. The trim moldings, 50, define the utility space, FIG. 2,which can be conventiently closed by the additional finish molding, 54,and facilitate the wiring of electrical outlets, phone outlets, or heatcontrol and so forth and can be used instead of the raceway, 44, shownin FIGS. 3 and 4 for this purpose and thus, provides a means toeliminate the raceway, 44, and possible damage caused to the webbing bycutting into them and also this is a labor saving means by which all thematerials and elements of the partition wall are recoverable andreusable.

With reference now to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 13, thedemountable partition wall of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, 8, 12and 13, is likewise adapted for use and assembly between a floor and aceiling C (FIGS. 12 and 13). The elongated floor channel includes a baseportion 102 which is suitably secured to the floor by means ofconventional fasteners (not shown). The opposite parallel sides of thefloor channel 100 are curved upwardly inwardly to form cover portions104 and 106, respectively, which, at the upper end, terminate in flanges108 and 110, respectively, which as shown are L-shaped in crosssectionto provide opposite wall baord or panel retaining members. Thus, asshown, the L-shaped support flanges of the floor channel 100 are adaptedto support .individual wall panels P well above the floor, a distance ofabout 2 to 3 inches provided by the outwardly curved cove portions 104and 106, to prevent water damage of the panels or damage by floorcleaning machines and simultaneously provides anattractive appearancewith no need for additional base board moldings. v

A top channel ll2overlies the floor channel 100 in parallel verticalalignment therewith and has a' top base portion 114, in this instancesuitably secured to the ceiling indicated at C in FIGS. 12 and 13. Thetop channel 112 has oppositely downwardly depending sides 116 and 118,respectively, which terminate in downwardly extending resilient panelretaining flanges I20 and 122, respectively, which are connected to thesides of the top channel by an upwardly inclined intermediate portion124, which provides a flexible means for the panel retaining flanges 120and 122 to resiliently retain the flanges against the panels P.

As will be noted from FIG. 5, assembly and disassembly of the wallpanels P into the floor and top channels 100 and 112, respectively, isfacilitated in that the vertical height between the lower panelretaining flanges 108 and 110 and the flexible connecting member 124 ofthe top channel flanges 120 and 122 is larger than the verticaldimension of the panels P so that, when the panels are assembled, aspace 126 is left between the top edge of each panel and the resilientconnecting portions 124 of the top channels. Thus, in assembly, thepanel P is first moved into the top channel all the way up against theresilient connection portions 124 and then permitted to drop down intothe lower panel retaining flanges 108 and 110, respectively. The topflanges 120 and 122 are of sufficient length, in down ward direction, soas to overly a substantial portion of the upper portion of the panel P.Likewise, to remove the panels P from the floor and top channels, thepanel P is moved upwardly against the resilient connecting portion 124of the top channel to move the bottom edge of the panel upwardly beyondthe top edge of the lower panel retaining flanges 108 or 110respectively. The lower end of the panel can then be moved outwardlybeyond the lower panel retaining flanges, which is permitted by theflexibility provided by the inclined connecting portion 124 of the topchannel 112.

Both the floor and ceiling channels 100 and 112 are made from sheetmetal, such as aluminum, and may be fabricated by extrusion or rolling.The top channel 112 does not necessarily have to be secured to theceiling, as for instance in half-size wall partitions, in which instancethe top channel 112 provides an attractive top molding trim for thehalf-size wall partition assembly. Similarly, the upwardly inclinedconnecting portion 124 of the top channel 112 can then conveniently beused for hanging pictures, bulletin boards and the like.

In assembly of the partition wall of the present invention, a pluralityof spaced upright stud members 128 of desired vertical length,corresponding to the vertical dimension between the floor channel 100and top channel 112, are mounted with their respective and lower andupper ends within the channel formed by the oppositely spaced floor coveportions 104 and 106 and within the similarly, oppositely spaced flanges116 and 118 of the top channel 112 in snap-in engagement therewith. Thefloor cove portions 104 and 106 of the floor channel100 initially arecurved further inwardly towards each other, to define a transversedistance less than the transverse width of the stud members 128,

which are thereby frictionally engaged within the floor channel 100.

The stud member 128, which is similar to the stud member 34 in theembodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, is of generally I-I-shaped cross-section, asshown in FIG. 8, providing a center transverse web portion 130 connectedbetween opposed parallel flange members 132 and 134, respectively. Eachof the flange members 132 and 134 terminates at opposite ends of bothsides of the central web portion 130 into reverse-bent resilient clipformations 136, each. of which have an inwardly crimped bead portion138.

As indicated in FIG. 5, instead of the stud member 128 being supporteddirectly on the base portion 102 of the floor channel 100 (as in FIG.1), the floor channel 100 may be provided inwardly with oppositelongitudinal flanges 103 and 105, respectively, extending along the coveportions 104 and 106 to support a longitudinal plate 107 on which thestud member 128 rests. There is thus a space 109 provided in the bottomof the floor channel to provide a raceway for convenient l0cation ofconduits, pipes etc. 111, which are thus being completely hidden fromview in a protective enclosure by the floor channel. The support plate107, as will be understood, is provided along its length with openingsbetween studs for extension of the conduits therethrough upwardlythrough the wall structure.

With particular reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 12 and 13, in assembly, theupright stud members 128 are adapted to support the wall panels P and toretain the panels in vertical position. Adjacent panels P are locked tothe stud member 128 by means of a plurality of twist clips 140. Withparticular reference to FIG. 9, the twist clips 140 are constructed toprovide a U- channel portion 142 which base, and outwardly thereof, isconnected a T-flange 144, adapted for locking engagement with theflanges 132 and/or 134, respectively, of the stud member 128. The openend of the U-channel portion 142 of the twist" clip 140 is provided withopposite outwardly directed flange portions 146 adapted, in assembly, tooverly the adjacent vertical side edges of adjoining panels P as seen inFIG. 8. The U-channel portion 142 of the twist clip 140 provides aspacing 148 between adjoining panel members P, which conveniently can beused as a means for installation of conduits, utility wires and thelike, re quired to be mounted within the partition wall.

In assembly, the twist" clip 140 is rotated from the position shown inFIG. 8, for insertion of the T- flange 144 between the adjoining panelmembers and moved to-wards the flange 132 of the stud member 128. Inthat position, the twist clip 140 is again rotated 90, to move theopposite arms of the T-flange 144 into the opposite reverse clipformations 136 of the marginal flange 132 of the stud and intofrictional engagement with the crimped bead portions '138 thereof. Inthat position, the outer side flanges 146 at the open end of theU-channel portion 142 of the twist clip, are disposed to overly thevertical side edges of the adjoining panel members, thus, securelylocking the panel members against the flange 132 and/or 134,respectively, of the studmember 128.

To complete the partition wall assembly of the present invention, and'tocover the space 148 provided by the U-channel portion 142 of the twistclip 140, a molding or so called batten strip 150 is provided forlocking engagement within the twist clip 140. The batten strip 150 ispreferably of a length corresponding to the vertical dimension betweenthe edges of the lower flanges 108 and and upper flanges and 122 of thefloor and top channel members. The batten strip is comprised of agenerally flat body portion 152 which, at the inner side thereof, isprovided with pairs of laterally spaced legs 154 spaced incorrespondence with the lateral spacing between sides of channels 142.The legs 154 are adapted for insertion within the U-channel portion 142of the twist clip. To lock the batten strip 150 within the U-channelofthe twist clip, the opposite sides of the U-channel are provided withinwardly extending protrusions 143 and the legs 154 of the batten stripare provided with corresponding grooves or notches 156 adapted forsnap-in engagement over the protrusions 143 within the U-channel portion142 of the twist" clip, as shown in the assembly in FIG. 8. v

The generally flat body portion 152 of the batten strip is of a width toextend beyond the flanges 146 of the twist" clip to thereby completelycover the twist clips and the adjoining edges of adjacent panel members.The outer surface of the batten strip 150 may be variously shaped orformed such, as for instance, by providing alternate grooves and landportions to provide a pleasant appearance, as particularly noted in FIG.13. Thus, with the attachment of the batten strip 150, the assembly ofthe demountable partition wall, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, is completed, providing a partition wall having aneat and trim appearance, as noted in FIG. 13.

With particular reference now to FIG. which illustrates the assembly ofa door jamb to the upright stud member 128, the door jamb 160 of thisembodiment is comprised of a substantially U-shaped channel portion 162having a width exceeding the overall cross-section width of the wallpartition. The U-channel portion 160 has a substantially flat base 164from both ends of which extend at right angles thereto side flanges 166and 168, respectively. The flanges terminate at the ends in reverse-bentportions 170 and 172, respectively, which are parallel to the baseportion 164. The base portion 164 of the door jamb 160 is provided atthe center with a longitudinally extending door abutment 165 extendingfrom the base portion 164 in a direction opposite to the side flanges166 and 168 provided for a door D, indicated fragmentarily in FIG, 10. Apair of opposite parallel flanges or legs 174 and 176 extend from theinside of the U-shaped channel portion 162 which are spaced a distanceslightly larger than the distance between the opposed marginal flanges132 and 134 of the stud member 128 for snap-in engagementthereinbetween. I

In assembly, the central snap-in locking flanges 174 and 1 76 of thedoor jamb 160 are preferably secured to the opposite marginal flanges132 and 134 of the stud member 128 by means of fasteners 178. As seen inFIG. 10, the opposite parallel panel members P are retained within theU-channel portion of the door jamb and are locked in place against theoutside of the reverse clip formations 136 of the marginal flanges ofthe stud member 128 by means of abutment of the inwardly directedflanges 170 and 172 against the outside of the respective panel members,as shown.

With reference now to FIG. 11, there is shown the assembly of a 4-waywindow or glass panel retaining post 180 to the stud member 128.

The glass panel post or strut 180 has a substantially square shapedcross-section to provide a hollow tubular formation. Each of the opposedsides of the glass panel strut 180 is provided with an inwardlyextending, outwardly open longitudinal U-channel 182 each of which isprovided adjacent the open end with inwardly directed, opposite ribs184. The ribs 184 parallel and coplanar with each other, and are spacedinwardly below the external surface of the glass panel strut 180 toprovide a retaining and guide means for a window or glass panelfragmentarily indicated at 186.

stud member 128 or may be of any other desired lengthas required by thesize of the window or glass panel be retained by separate fastener means(not shown). Glass panels or windows 186 can then be selectivelyinstalled in anyone of the three exposed U-channels 182.

Selectively, a pair of vertically spaced shorter stud members 128 may bedisposed horizontally between a pair of spaced vertical stud members 128in each of which is placed, between the opposed marginal flanges 132 and134 of the stud members, a glass panel strut 180 of appropriate lengthand in horizontal position to thereby provide upper and lower horizontalretaining rails for a window or glass panel 186, the rail being providedby the recessed co-planar flanges 184 adajacent the open ends of theU-channels 182.

FIG. 10a illustrates an alternate embodiment of the basic stud member ofthe present invention. In this instance, the central web portion 130 iseliminated from the alternate stud 128a and replaced by a pair ofoutwardly disposed parallel sides 130a and 13% which connect theopposite outer edges of the respective side flanges 132a and 134a, so asto provide a stud member of rectangular tubular cross-section. Theinternal space 200 of the alternate stud 128a provides a convenientraceway for conduits, pipes and the like.

With reference to the embodiment in FIG. 6, in this instance, the basicstud member is cut in half along its longitudinal web portion to providea half-stud member 202 of T-shaped cross-section. This stud member canconveniently be used as a horizontal strut for the attachment andsupport of ceiling panels 204, as indicated in FIG. 6, utilizing thesame twistclip 140 and batten strip 150 arrangement as in the wallstructure of FIG. 8 to retain the ceiling panels or tiles 204 againstthe flangeof the half stud member 202.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment similar to FIG. 6. However,in this embodiment only one side flange 132 (or 134) of the basic studmember 128 has been retained. The single stud flange 132 (or 134) maythen be secured by means of fasteners 205 to the underside of a joist206. already provided in the building, thus obtaining a T-shapedstructure similar to that in FIG. 6, for the attachment and securementof ceiling panels in the same fashion as illustrated in FIG. 6;

As herein provided, the various channels, stud and strut members andtrim members as well as the door jambs, glass panel struts and twistclips are preferably I made from molded, extruded or rolled aluminumsheet being utilized. The strut 180 is simply inserted between theopposed marginal flanges 132 and 134 of the stud member 128 in which theglass panel strut 180 will be retained by the clamping force of theadjacent wall panel members abutting against the outside of the marginalflanges 132 and 134, as shown in FIG. 8, or may material for lightweight, goodappearance and resistance against corrosion. Additionally,aluminum is preferred, because this material can be easily cut orsprayed to provide any desirable decorator color to match or complimentthe particular color shade of the wall board panels. It shall be notedhere, with particular reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, that both, the floorchannel and top channel 112, can be made and assembled in two halves,split along the longitudinal center line as shown at 188 of the floorchannel 100. When these two half channel sections which are identicalexcept for being reversed, are assembled as a unit, as shown in FIGS. 12and 13, they provide a full channel equivilent to the unitary channelshown in FIG. 5. The inner ends of the two half channel sections areprovided with short, upstanding, longitudinal flanges 190 and 192,respectively, which in assembly, as shown in FIG. 12 and 13, abutagainst each other and provide an additional securing means for theupright stud member 128 byextension into an appropriate slot 194provided in the web portion of the stud member.

Conversely, each half channel section can be used separately for aone-sided wall panel installation, such as hiding unsightly or damagedwalls by covering the wall with a one-sided demountable partition wallusing a half floor and top channel and half stud member. Likewise, bythis arrangement, an inner wall for a building can be provided inopposition to the external wall by securing the half channels by meansof the inner flanges 190 or 192 to the inside of the two-by-four studsof the building wall and then finishing the inside wall by installationof the wall panels as previously described herein, with the exceptionthat only one half of the stud member 128 is used which, as shown, issymmetrical to both sides of its longitudinal centerline.

The herein proposed and described batten strip 150, which snaps into thetwist clip 140 between adjoining panels, lends to the partition wall avery decorative, finished appearance. The batten strip may be anodizedfor kalcolor, du-randodic, naarcolor or similar color finishes or may becovered with a material matching the panel color shades or color sprayedfor the same purpose.

Any selective panel member at any portion of the demountable partitionwall of the present invention, can be removed in three simple steps by:(l) removing the snap-in batten strip 150, (2) removing the exposedtwist" clips 140, and (3) removing the selected panel member. Thus, onecan easily replace one panel with a panel of another color on either oneor both sides of the partition wall may be removed for the installationof a doorway, for shortening of the wall or for any other desiredpurpose.

All units of the present improved, demountable partition wall are fullyrecoverable with no waste material and having no material which has tobe destroyed during disassembly.

The present improved partition wall is designed to be labor saving bythe initial installation and reassembly and maybe simply demounted andreconstructed in a minimum amount of time and labor.

The upright stud members 128 or 34, respectively, are of suchconstruction as to be conveniently adaptable to be interlocked withsnap-on door jambs or glass panel struts or to receive horizontal studsof the same construction to provide glass panel or window sills orretaining rails for half divider wall partitions.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated herein, it will be obvious to anyone skilledin the art to which the invention pertains, that various changes inmaterial, arrangement and details may be made without departing from thespirit and essential characteristic thereof as defined by the scope ofthe appended claims.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to thefollowing claims:

I Clain:

1. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and aceiling;

an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor;

a down-turned top channel parallel to and in vertically alignedrelationship overlying the floor channel;

a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs of H- shape in crosssection, having a central web and a pair of opposed marginal flanges,with their respective stud ends projected into said channels;

said floor and ceiling channels including elongated opposed angular wallboard supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges;

upright wall boards bearing inwardly against said stud flanges supportedand retained along their top and bottom edges within said channelflanges respectively;

the opposite ends of the marginal flanges on each stud including anelongated reverse turned flexible clip edge;

a snap-in glass panel strut mounted upon and interlocked with andparallel to one of said studs and including a tubular unitary channelbody having at least one elongated outwardly opening panel receivingslot, said snap-in panel strut being of square tubular cross-sectionhaving a cross-sectional dimension corresponding to the dimensionbetween said opposed marginal stud flanges for frictional snap-inengagement therebetween.

2. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and aceiling;

an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor;

a down-turned top channel parallel to and in vertically alignedrelationship overlying the floor channel;

a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs, having at least one webportion between a pair of opposed marginal flanges, with theirrespective stud ends projected into said channels;

said floor and top channels including elongated opposed angular wallboard supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges;

upright wall boards bearing against opposite ends of said stud flangessupported and retained along their top and bottom edges within saidchannel flanges respectively;

said wall board retaining flanges of said top channel terminating attheir upper edges in an elongated downwardly inclined top wall at itslower edge joined to the lower edge of said top channel whereby saidlatter flanges are outwardly flexible to facilitate installation andremoval of said wall board and exert a retaining force on said wallboard against said stud flanges;

an upright snap-on door jamb mounted upon and interlocked with andparallel to one of said studs, and including a channel body having anelongated outer door receiving stop of rectangular crosssection with theopposing edges of said body being flanged and terminating in reverseformed channel clips each having an inner flange snugly abutting againstan edge portion of a wall board extending into said channel body toretain said wall board against the clip edges of said stud flanges; v

' said channel body of said door jamb being provided with a pair ofresilient parallel leg portions extending in opposite direction to saiddoor stop and adapted for frictional snap-in engagement between opposedstud flanges; and fasteners interconnecting said leg portions and studflanges.

3. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and aceiling;

an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said a down-turned topchannel'parallel to and in vertically aligned relationship overlying thefloor channel a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs, having atleast one web portion between a pair of opposed marginal flanges, withtheir respective stud ends projected into said channels;

said floor and top channels including elongated opposed angular wallboard supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges;

upright wall boards bearing against opposite ends of said stud flangessupported and retained along their top and bottom edges within saidchannel flanges respectively;

said wall board retaining flanges of said top channel terminating attheir upper edges in an elongated downwardly inclined top wall at itslower edge joined to the lower edge of said top channel whereby saidlatter flanges are outwardly flexible to facilitate installation andremoval of said wall board and exert a retaining force on said wallboard against said stud flanges;

a horizontally disposed stud of the same construction as the uprightstuds, extending between and secured to a pair of adjacent upright studsintermediate said floor and top of said wall;

and a snap-in divider strut mounted upon and interlocked with andparallel to said horizontal stud including -a channel body having atleast one elongated outwardly opening divider receiving slot, therein;

said snap-in divider strut being of tubular unitary rectangular crosssection having a divider receiving slot in each of its sides, theexternal distance between opposite sides corresponding to the distancebetween said opposed stud flanges for frictional snap-in engagement ofsaid strut between said flanges.

4. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and aceiling; i

an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor;

a down-turned top channel overlying said floor channel in parallelvertically aligned relationship thereto;

a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs of H- shape in crosssection, having a central web and opposed marginal flanges, saidmarginal flanges being elongated and having reverse turned outer endsdefining clips having some flexibility, with the respective stud endsprojected into said channels;

said floor channel including a base having opposed upwardly and inwardlycurved cove portions which terminate at their upper edges in opposedwall board supporting and retaining flanges; and cove portions beingnormally spaced apart a distance less than the width of said studs;

said top channel including elongated opposed and outwardly flexibleangular wall board supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the studflanges;

upright wall boards bearing inwardly against said clips of said studflanges supported and retained along their top and bottom edges withinsaid channel flanges respectively;

and said curved cove portions of said floor channel frictionally bearingagainst the outside of said stud flanges;

said channels being split-along their longitudinal centerline to provideopposed identical half-channels, the opposed inner edges of saidhalf-channels being provided with longitudinal flanges abutting eachother in assembly, and said central web of said stud being provided withlongitudinal slots to receive said flanges to thereby lock said twohalf-channels together.

1. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and aceiling; an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor; adown-turned top channel parallel to and in vertically alignedrelationship overlying the floor channel; a series of longitudinallyspaced upright studs of H-shape in cross-section, having a central weband a pair of opposed marginal flanges, with their respective stud endsprojected into said channels; said floor and ceiling channels includingelongated opposed angular wall board supporting and retaining flangesspaced from the stud flanges; upright wall boards bearing inwardlyagainst said stud flanges supported and retained along their top andbottom edges within said channel flanges respectively; the opposite endsof the marginal flanges on each stud including an elongated reverseturned flexible clip edge; a snap-in glass panel strut mounted upon andinterlocked with and parallel to one of said studs and including atubular unitary channel body having at least one elongated outwardlyopening panel receiving slot, said snap-in panel strut being of squaretubular cross-section having a cross-sectional dimension correspondingto the dimension between said opposed marginal stud flanges forfrictional snap-in engagement therebetween.
 2. In a demountablepartition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling; an up-turnedfloor channel on and secured to said floor; a down-turned top channelparallel to and in vertically aligned relationship overlying the floorchannel; a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs, having atleast one web portion between a pair of opposed marginal flanges, withtheir respective stud ends projected into said channels; said floor andtop channels including elongated opposed angular wall board supportingand retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges; upright wall boardsbearing against opposite ends of said stud flanges supported andretained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flangesrespectively; said wall board retaining flanges of said top channelterminating at their upper edges in an elongated downwardly inclined topwall at its lower edge joined to the lower edge of said top channelwhereby said latter flanges are outwardly flexible to facilitateinstallation and removal of said wall board and exert a retaining forceon said wall board against said stud flanges; an upright snap-on doorjamb mounted upon and interlocked with and parallel to one of saidstuds, and including a channel body having an elongated outer doorreceiving stop of rectangular cross-section with the opposing edges ofsaid body being flanged and terminating in reverse formed channel clipseach having an inner flange snugly abutting against an edge portion of awall board extending into said channel body to retain said wall boardagainst the clip edges of said stud flanges; said channel body of saiddoor jamb being provided with a pair of resilient parallel leg portionsextending in opposite direction to said door stop and adapted forfrictional snap-in engagement between opposed stud flanges; andfasteners interconnecting said leg portions and stud flanges.
 3. In ademountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling; anup-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor; a down-turned topchannel parallel to and in vertically aligned relationship overlying thefloor channel a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs, having atleast one web portion between a pair of opposed marginal flanges, withtheir respective stud ends projected into said channels; said floor andtop channels including elongated opposed angular wall board supportingand retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges; upright wall boardsbearing against opposite ends of saiD stud flanges supported andretained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flangesrespectively; said wall board retaining flanges of said top channelterminating at their upper edges in an elongated downwardly inclined topwall at its lower edge joined to the lower edge of said top channelwhereby said latter flanges are outwardly flexible to facilitateinstallation and removal of said wall board and exert a retaining forceon said wall board against said stud flanges; a horizontally disposedstud of the same construction as the upright studs, extending betweenand secured to a pair of adjacent upright studs intermediate said floorand top of said wall; and a snap-in divider strut mounted upon andinterlocked with and parallel to said horizontal stud including achannel body having at least one elongated outwardly opening dividerreceiving slot, therein; said snap-in divider strut being of tubularunitary rectangular cross section having a divider receiving slot ineach of its sides, the external distance between opposite sidescorresponding to the distance between said opposed stud flanges forfrictional snap-in engagement of said strut between said flanges.
 4. Ina demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling; anup-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor; a down-turned topchannel overlying said floor channel in parallel vertically alignedrelationship thereto; a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs ofH-shape in cross section, having a central web and opposed marginalflanges, said marginal flanges being elongated and having reverse turnedouter ends defining clips having some flexibility, with the respectivestud ends projected into said channels; said floor channel including abase having opposed upwardly and inwardly curved cove portions whichterminate at their upper edges in opposed wall board supporting andretaining flanges; and cove portions being normally spaced apart adistance less than the width of said studs; said top channel includingelongated opposed and outwardly flexible angular wall board supportingand retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges; upright wall boardsbearing inwardly against said clips of said stud flanges supported andretained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flangesrespectively; and said curved cove portions of said floor channelfrictionally bearing against the outside of said stud flanges; saidchannels being split along their longitudinal centerline to provideopposed identical half-channels, the opposed inner edges of saidhalf-channels being provided with longitudinal flanges abutting eachother in assembly, and said central web of said stud being provided withlongitudinal slots to receive said flanges to thereby lock said twohalf-channels together.